31From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Mead delivered me Yours this Morning as I was upon my way to reconnoitre the Enemy’s Lines from the West side of Schuylkill. I had a full view of their left and found their works much stronger than I had reason to expect from the Accounts I had received. The Enemy have evacuated Carpenters Island and seem to be about doing the same by province Island. Accounts from the City say Lord...
32From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 26 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
My Letter ⟨of⟩ yester night (wro⟨te af⟩ter I returnd from a view of ⟨the Ene⟩my’s Lines from the other side Schuylkill) I must refer to. Our Situation, as you justly obs⟨erve, is⟩ distressing, from a variety ⟨of irreme⟩diable causes; but more espe⟨ci⟩ally from the impracticabillity of ⟨an⟩swering the expectations of the world without running hazards w⟨hich no⟩ military principles can j⟨ustify;...
33From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene or Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum or Brigadier General … (Washington Papers)
Capt. Duplessis has just delivered me yours of this Morning from Burlington. Every account from Philada confirms the Report that the Enemy mean to make a speedy Move. I shall not be disappointed if they come out this Night or very early in the Morning. You will therefore push forward, the Rear Brigades with all possible expedition and the Moment that the Troops and Baggage have all passed, let...
34From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 12 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
The good People of the State of Pennsylvania living in the vicinity of Philadelphia & near the Delaware River having sufferd much by the Enemy carrying off their property without allowing them any Compensation, thereby distressing the Inhabitants—supplying their own Army & enabling them to protract the cruel & unjust war that they are now waging against these States—And whereas by recent...
35From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 16 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of yesterday and have given instructions to the Quarter Master to supply your demand of Waggons, by sending forward as many as can be spared from the Camp and pressed in the neighborhood—however I would not have your exertions abated, by a Reliance on Success in this quarter. As it is impossible to secure the Hay on the Jersey Shore, for our own use it is certainly...
36From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, 17 February 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, 17 Feb. 1778. John Laurens docketed Greene’s letter to GW of 16 Feb. “Answd 17th.”
37From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 18 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your two favors of yesterday and to day—there has been no considerable desertion from this camp to my knowledge within a few days past, nor have the Enemy made any number of Prisoners on the other side of Schuylkil; the persons said to have been paraded in the city, were perhaps defenceless Inhabitants that have been seized upon by the traiterous parties who style themselves...
38From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 31 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
200,000 Bushels of Grain and as much Hay as can be drawn in from both sides of Delaware, to be lodged on the banks of Delaware from Trenton upwards. 200,000 Bushels of Grain and as much Hay as can be procured, at different posts on Schuylkill. 200,000 Bushels of Grain and as much Hay as can be procured within 40 Miles of the Camp, to be fixed at different posts from the Head of Elk to Camp....
39From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, [3 April 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
We have to request, you will order a couple of very good teams to be got ready to proceed to the enemy’s lines for General Lee’s baggage. He is to come out on parole, on Sunday morning. You will judge when they ought to set out from here—suppose tomorrow noon, so as to get in the neighbourhood of Vandeering’s Mill by tomorrow night. When they are ready to set out tomorrow let them make report...
40George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 5 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] May 5, 1778 . Reviews situation in Europe and discusses possible enemy movements. Df , in writing of H, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
41From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 5 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your favour of the 3d I give it clearly as my opinion, that no change has happened in our affairs, which will justify the least relaxation in our military preparations and consequently that the provisions you have been, and are, making, in your department, ought to be continued in their fullest vigor and extent. Whether any, or what change may happen, in the local situation of the...
42From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, [7 May 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
I am sadly distressed for want of a good saddle &c; and such is my situation, that I have no opportunity of procuring for myself. The one I got by your order the other day was of a coarser kind that would only do for my servant. As you are in the way of procuring matters of this kind, you will oblige me much, if you will give orders for purchasing a good saddle bridle holsters &c. for me....
43From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 16 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
From many concurrent circumstances it appears that the enemy are preparing to evacuate Philadelphia, whether their design is to withdraw altogether from the Continent or to concenter their forces at new york cannot be ascertained—in case the latter shd be the case it will be proper to have provision of forage made on the road to the No. River for such body of Troops as may be ordered to march...
44George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 17 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] May 17, 1778 . Instructs Greene to prepare for possible movement of Army and to set up magazines along routes to North River. Df , in writings of Richard Kidder Meade and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
45From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 17 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Every piece of intelligence from Philadelphia makes me think it more & more probable, that the Enemy are preparing to evacuate it—Whether they intend to leave the Continent, or only go to some other part of it must be uncertain. There are some reasons that induce a suspicion they may intend for New York. In any case it is absolutely necessary, we should be ready, for an instant movement of the...
46From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 6 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a copy of the establishment of the Marechaussé, as passed in Congress the 20th Ulto —This Corps is to be armed and accoutred in the manner of Light Dragoons—You will therefore provide with all possible expedition sixty three horses, with proper Saddles and bridles—as the nature of the duty will principally require patroling within the distance of a mile from the pickets, the horses...
47George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 8 June 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] June 8, 1778 . Instructs Greene to find a new camp site. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
48From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 8 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
As the Removal of the Troops under Genl Smallwoods Command will leave our Stores at the head of Elk exposed, and their only protection will be such as they may derive from the Militia of the Country You are without loss of time to have every thing of value in your magazines thereabouts, transported to the most convenient place for the purposes of the army. I am &c. As Genl Smallwood with his...
49From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 8 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
The very sickly situation of the camp, and the danger of its becoming still more alarming makes it improper we should remain longer on the present ground. You will be pleased in the course of this day, to reconnoitre a new camp, with the aid of the chief Engineer. The object, principally to be attended to, is a wholesome situation, convenient for the accommodation of the men, well provided...
50From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 21 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I cannot at this time ⟨(h⟩aving many People round me, & ⟨Lett⟩ers by the Southern Post to read) go fully in⟨to⟩ the cont⟨ents⟩ of yours of this date, ⟨but⟩ with ⟨ the ⟩ same truth I have ever done, I still ass⟨ur⟩e you, that you retain the same hold of my affections that I have professed to allow you—With equal truth I can, and do assure you⟨,⟩ that I have ever been happy in your friendship, &...
51From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 8 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor dated the 4th Inst. informing me of your arrival at Providence, and the flattering disposition of things in that quarter. We have just received an account from Genl Maxwell of Lord Howes sailing from the Hook with his fleet of armed vessels early on Thursday morning last. Whether it is to make demonstrations of fighting the Count d’Estaign, in order to favor the...
52From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 21 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
On Wednesday afternoon I re⟨ce⟩ived your favor of the 12th & 13th Inst. by Mr Hulet the Pilot, who did not arrive in Camp till then. I am much obliged by your particular relation of matters, and request that you will continue it from time to time whenever oppertunity will permit. There was one circumstance in your relation, of which I was exceedingly sorry to hear. You will readily know which...
53From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 1 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving your several letters, the last of which was of the 22d Augt. I have not now time to take notice of the several arguments that were made use of, for and against the Counts quitting the Harbour of Newport and sailing for Boston. Right or wrong, it will probably disappoint our sanguine expectations of success, and what I esteem a still worse consequence, I...
54George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 14 September 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
White Plains [ New York ] September 14, 1778 . States that clothing is to be forwarded from Boston to the Army. Asks Greene to cooperate with Major General William Heath to assure safe and quick delivery of clothing. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
55From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 14 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Board of War have advised me of a large quantity of ready made cloathing for the use of the army, in possession of Mr Samuel Fletcher of Boston; which they have ordered to be immediately sent on to Springfield and Hartford in the first instance and afterwards to the army. You are aware of the mismanagement there has been in the manner of transporting cloathing, which has commonly been...
56George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 22 September 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] September 22, 1778 . States that provisions for the French fleet have not arrived. Asks Greene to see “that every possible expedient may be embraced to promote” the forwarding of supplies. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress; LS , in the handwriting of H, Bibliothèque Municipale, Lille, France.
57From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 22 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 16th. The exorbitancy of the price of forage to the Eastward exceeds what I had any conception of, and should the seat of War be transferred to that quarter, the prices, high as they are, would no doubt rise with the demand—Mr Pettit and Colo. Biddle, alarmed at the prices of that Article in this quarter, and finding the people every day more unwilling to...
58From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 22 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
By some late accounts from the Eastward, it appears, that none of the provisions, destined for the use of the French fleet had arrived; nor had they any knowlege of its being near—I shall be glad to know what steps have been taken in consequence of my former directions, and what progress has been made in the business of forwarding supplies for the fleet—This is an object of so great...
59From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 1 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed was sent to you at Boston, and by mistake of General Heaths Aide de Camp, who imagined you were returning directly to the Army, sent back again. The enemy are foraging with strong parties on this side the River, between the plains and the Bridge, and on the other, in Bergen. A few nights ago they made an unlucky stroke at Baylors Regiment of Horse laying at Harrington, four Miles...
60From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 29 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of last evening. From present appearances and a variety of circumstances, I think we may conclude, that nothing can be done towards the Canada expedition this Winter. It appear<s> now, notwithstanding Genl Baileys assurances, that the Country, upon the head of Connecticut River, will afford but a scanty if any supply of provision. Genl Bailey has lately, upon a supposition...